Letter to the Editor: Induct Bernardini and Newburg into Southern CT Diamond Club’s ‘Hall of Fame’

Published
3:46 pm EDT, Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Hall of Fame Committee Members,

It is with great pleasure that I write you today in support of the nomination and election of Ron Bernardini of Hamden, Connecticut and Dick Newburg of North Haven, Connecticut to the Southern CT Diamond Club’s “Hall of Fame”. It is with confidence that I recommend each of these gentlemen for inclusion in the Hall of Fame, as their contributions and impact on the sport of baseball are undeniable.

Newburg was a strong force to be reckoned with on the pitcher’s mound, eventually playing for the Pirates and rising to the Triple AAA level. Milt Rosner, a Pirate scout, considered Newburg “one of the gems of the Pirate farm system.” Newburg was a master-class pitcher, one considered by many to be of the best baseball had to offer in the 1950’s. Mr. Newburg was a crowd favorite and did much to promote the sport of baseball here in Greater New Haven.

Bernardini was another fantastic player of the 1950’s. His prowess on the field was well known throughout the Greater New Haven League, and he became a community name throughout the region. Tragically, Bernardini’s legacy intertwines with Newburg’s — in that Newburg threw the fatal pitch that tragically ended Bernardini’s life in August of 1954. As a result of this tragic play, baseball players in leagues from amateur to professional were all using helmets by 1958. Bernardini was a three sport star at Hamden High School, and was planning to attend college on athletic scholarship. His legacy and contributions to baseball, and the Greater New Haven community, should be remembered and honored appropriately.

I am sincerely hopeful that the Southern Connecticut Diamond Club will move to induct Bernardini and Newburg into the Hall of Fame. These two players forever changed the game of baseball; and while this occurrence was tragic, the resulting safety improvements have undoubtedly saved the lives of other players since. It is my great honor to recommend Ron and Dick for induction into the SCDC Hall of Fame.